Growth in high-speed internet connectivity in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member states is being driven by demand from wireless broadband customers, according to a new report.

The OECD study showed new wireless broadband subscriptions rose at a double-digit rate during the first half of the year, climbing by 14 per cent on the final six months of 2010 and by 26 per cent year on year.

However, the same rapid increase was not recorded for fixed-line broadband connections, which saw a slowdown in customer growth.

An upturn of just 2.25 per cent in fixed broadband lines was recorded between December 2010 and June 2011, less than half the rate seen in the latter half of 2010.

Throughout OECD countries, there were more than 309 million fixed broadband customers during the study period.

Switzerland and the Netherlands were named at the top of the fixed broadband league table with more than 38 connections per 100 citizens, compared to the OECD average of 25.1.

Wireless broadband penetration is highest in Korea (99.3), Sweden (93.6), Japan (80.0) and Finland (79.1), some of which have almost double the average uptake of 47.9.

DSL and cable subscriptions saw their market share remain relatively stable at 58.8 per cent and 29.5 per cent respectively, while further growth was seen for fibre-to-the-home connections, which now represent 13 per cent of total lines.

In a further boost for wireless broadband prevalence, supermarket giant Tesco announced this month that it has rolled out a free Wi-Fi service at each of its Extra stores, based on a technology platform provided by O2 Wifi.

Chief information officer at the grocer Mike McNamara said Tesco is "proud" to be the UK's first supermarket chain to offer nationwide wireless broadband access.

"People are increasingly using a variety of digital services and we're excited by our customers' reaction to the new service," he added. 

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